The Blizzard of 2010....

Also known as "Snowmageddon". ;)

I know, I know - I snickered a bit when CNN was throwing that term around last weekend. But I am snickering no more...

This photo was taken at ten o'clock this morning, looking up our street, with the worst yet to come; it's expected to continue (with stronger winds) until about two AM tomorrow. WHERE do you suppose we'll PUT it all?!?!

Here's the picket fence at the side of our house...

And the koi pond...

And one of the dogwood trees. Isn't it a miracle this will be full bloom in just a short while?! (I'm hanging onto this thought, hehe)

Completely oblivious to weather forecasts and dire warnings, Cadie and Cosmo are living in the moment, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Sometimes I think we should take a lesson from our furry companions and learn to purely enjoy the present. Not a bad way to get through weather, or life for that matter. ;)

I've been using this time to work on a couple of commission pieces, and a yummy Valentine cupcake box for last night's PFATT Marketplace debut. I was all set to tell you it's up for grabs, but it sold this morning. It was such a kick to do though, I may just have to paint an Easter version...and summer...and Halloween (of course!) So many ideas swirling around this snow addled brain, and so little time, teehee....

In the meantime, we're staying warm here with homemade hot cocoa (made with cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom - soooooooo good!)....


...and there are movies, scrabble, knitting...and of course painting. If you're going to be snowed in, this is the way to do it, yes?

I'll be back very soon with more goodies, and until then, there are a few trinket boxes still up for grabs on Etsy. :)

Warmest Winter Blessings,
♥ Carolee

Blessings and Challenges

It's been a week of both around here, but I sooooo believe we can't appreciate one without the other, yes?

Topping the blessings list is John's continued improvement following last month's open heart surgery. It's been a long haul, but we're seeing light at the end of the tunnel now, and I just can't tell you how wonderful it is to see him growing stronger daily. :)

Blessings abound in the studio too, where inspiration is flowing faster than I can begin to paint, and for the most part, work has been selling like mad the second it lists. For that I am ever so thankful.

Here are a couple of recent pieces I have to share, one on eBay and one on the PFATT Marketplace. A Mitten box, with a trio of kittens a little too distracted by falling snowflakes to find their lost mittens...

And a tiny trinket box (another tuxedo cat)....

Both of these were snapped up, but I do have another piece listed just this evening, sort of a prayer in paint, for all our furry companions. If you click here you can see the whole piece....

And of course there's the ever present blessing of friends and family, and of our daughter, who now lives so much closer to us - the best blessing of all.

The challenges aren't as much fun to write about (or read about either, haha), so I'll be brief. Suffice to say tomorrow morning will find me at the hospital for an MRI of my left ankle, the one I've repeatedly sprained due to general klutziness, haha...They suspect a torn or degenerated tendon, and are talking reconstructive surgery if the MRI confirms the diagnosis.

In the meantime, I'm hobbling around the house in a good deal of pain, having refused to take steroids. NOT a good time for surgery, as John is still recovering and I need to work every minute I can. Not a good HOUSE for the kind of surgery which requires staying off one's feet for several weeks either, with one bathroom upstairs, and two dogs that need walking several times a day. Anyway, I'm taking it one step at a time, but do appreciate prayers and positive vibes. :)

That's about for now. I'll be back very soon with new work to share and hopefully good news on the pesky ankle....

Wishing everyone all the blessings of this most beautiful season!!

♥ Carolee

"Twilight Parade"

Flying in quickly this morning to share this month's PFATT Marketplace offering - a hand painted wooden treat box in deepest purples, with a little wood and paperclay Jack on top.

It listed last night at midnight, and is available for direct purchase on a first-come basis (just shoot me an email at the address on the right).

Look for another eBay auction soon too - and of course sooooooooooo many pieces in the works for the Ghoultide Gathering!

That's it for today....I'm off to brew a pot of tea and put some tunes in the CD player, then to WORK!

Wishing everyone a magical and *creative* Thursday!

♥ Carolee

It's Never Too Early For a Little Halloween Magic!

Okay, sing along with me now...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" tra-la-la...

Okay, now that I've successfully planted that song in your head for the day, hehe, I'll start with yesterday's project - a wicked cool treasure chest called "Fly by Night":

I was in a vintage kind of mood, so added some of these fun papers, giving all the ladies inside the box witches' hats. If you click these pictures they'll enlarge, showing the detail.

I love the curved top on this piece, and I'm thinking it could be used for so many things: as a sewing box, a jewelry box, a treasure or keepsake box, a stationery box....the possibilities are endless. I hope to list this one tomorrow (Saturday) night around 9PM eastern. :) *UPDATE* - SOLD

More Halloween goodies are in the works for eBay and Etsy this week, but that's not all....

Coming up VERY soon is Jack-o-lantern June at the PFATT Marketplace! Sooooo many wonderful folk artists there, and I'm excited just to be in their company....No idea what I'll be offering this month, but it will most definitely be HALLOWEEN, and may even be a little sparkly.

I'll be working all weekend again, and want to let everyone know I'll be adding a "buy it now" option to my auctions just for the next few days. I usually prefer to let the auctions play out, but unexpected car repairs and dental work this month have inspired me to cut to the chase on at least a couple of pieces. ;)

I'm also hoping to paint a few friends for the little tortoiseshell cat in my Etsy store...he's still lonely over there.

That's about it for today. I'm taking a quick dog-walking and fish-feeding break, then it's back to the drawing board (or painting table, actually)....

Wishing everyone in the US a Happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

♥ Carolee